Home selling during the holidays: 8 things to consider
Christmas trees and twinkling lights are beckoning from storefronts and mince pies and brandy pudding are everywhere you look. The festive season is well and truly upon us. While the holiday period in South Africa is enjoyed with much enthusiasm, putting the country in jovial spirits, the housing market during this time of year should not be ignored. Here are 8 simple ways to make the most of your home sale in December.
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Prepare months before
Once you make the decision to sell your property, you have an exciting time ahead of you, filled with fulfilling activities and lots of checklists! It is probably a good idea to have a realistic timeline of when you want to prepare your home for sale and when you want to begin listing. Factor in the time it usually takes for a home to sell. During the festive period, while you may have a great number of people viewing the listings, keep in mind that the deeds office closes for a short period over December. All registrations need to be completed before this closing date to finalise your registrations, sales or transfers.
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List with intention and clear expectations
In order to achieve a smooth, effortless home-selling process, you need to outline what you want to gain from this journey. Everyone wants to make a profit on the initial buying cost they spent, but it would be a good idea to have a budget in place for your next house while factoring in the expense of getting your current home in listing condition. Look at improved, upgraded areas and communicate with your agent to find the best new home for you.
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Complete repairs and inspections
Do a thorough scope of your property and tick off what needs to be fixed. Some repairs and maintenance could take time to complete and you want to ensure the house is in tip-top condition before you have any potential viewings. Pay attention to major areas such as your flooring, roofing, electrical outlets and mechanical systems.
This is an important document to have and can often be the difference that makes buyers take that final leap towards being confident in their property purchase. The Certificate of Compliance is issued by registered professionals after an inspection and states that the property is in working order. Sellers should have this document beforehand for sales to be processed. It gives buyers an overview of the property's electrical workings and the condition of the home they are inheriting.
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Organise and declutter
Before showing your home, it is imperative that you clean and organise the main living areas, storage areas, and the outside of the home. Buyers pay attention to these areas and envision their own lives transported into them. Having storage boxes that double as decor can add to the modernity and simplicity of the property. Decluttered homes symbolise elegance and a clean canvas for buyers to enjoy.
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Stage your home and upgrade
Staging a property for show is an art. It requires you to think from the buyer's perspective. You are responsible for evoking emotions, creating wholesome scenarios and showcasing an inviting, warm environment. This idealistic version of a property is the one that attracts buyers and helps your home linger at the top of the list of options.
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Be flexible with showings and viewings/open days
People should have more free time during the holidays. Companies close, school is out, and buyers can peruse their wish list listings. Sellers must be open to unusual times and accommodate requests for multiple viewings. This helps buyers feel more comfortable with the prospect of future negotiations and more inclined to lean toward your property.
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Enlist the help of a dedicated, responsible agent
DG Properties has a team of experts whose main focus is to help list your property. We employ our best marketing methods, striking photographs and a description outlining all the property's statistics. Our goal is to find you the best buyers and equip you with the latest tools to succeed. Choose DG Properties as your real estate avenue and sell your home with ease.
25 Nov 2024
Author DG Properties